Volunteer Credit Coach (East Side)

Reply to: klatney-castillo@lespfcu.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-03, 8:21AM EST


**VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY**

Volunteer Tax Site Credit Coach:
Help Low-Income Taxpayers Realize their Financial Potential

About Us
The People’s Center for Economic Independence (PCEI) is a newly-formed not for profit affiliate of the Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union (LESPFCU). Incorporated in October 2005, PCEI’s mission is to provide access to asset-building opportunities and education to financially underserved people in New York City so that they may improve their economic well-being. Founded in the Lower East Side in 1986, LESPFCU is a member-owned not for profit financial institution dedicated to meeting the financial services and credit needs of local residents, businesses, and community organizations. Our mission is to stimulate economic and community development by providing a safe, affordable, and democratic alternative to traditional banks and by reinvesting our members; money in the communities we serve.

In 2003, LESPFCU started the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program to provide FREE tax preparation services help low-income households obtain their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can be as high as $7,000. The VITA Program provides an alternative to high cost commercial tax preparation firms that charge low-income taxpayers excessive fees and encourage them to borrow their refunds at high interest rates (Refund Anticipation Loans). In the last five years, the program generated almost $10 million in tax refunds for over 6,000 low-income households. For the 2009 VITA Program, PCEI and LESPFCU are integrating credit counseling into the Tax Site for the first time.

Position Description: Volunteer Credit Coaches will work during daytime and/or evening hours at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites operated by PCEI & LESPFCU. The credit Coach will provide interested taxpayers with a “Credit Tune-up,” which involves reviewing the individual's credit report, explaining its contents, the credit score, and how the credit score is used to make credit and employment decisions. The Coach will also discuss how the individual can improve his/her credit history and resolve debt issues. The volunteer will work 3-4 hours per week during the tax season. Depending upon the demand for follow up counseling services, the volunteer and may continue in this position after the tax season to provide more intensive one-on-one counseling with financial goals, budgeting, and credit issues.

Volunteer Credit Coaches will be asked to:
*Work 3- 4 hours per week (daytime and/or evening hours) during the 13-week tax season (January 14 – April 15)
*Attend a 6-hour training session in December or January (dates to be determined)
*Attend an orientation session in mid-January

Eligibility Requirements: We are looking for motivated individuals who meet these minimum requirements:
➢ Strong computer and communication skills
➢ Basic knowledge of financial planning issues
➢ Willingness to attend financial planning/education training sessions on an ongoing basis, as available
➢ Desire to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
➢ Bilingual individuals who speak Spanish, Chinese, Bengali or French are also needed

To volunteer, please contact: Karen Castillo, PCEI’s VITA Site Coordinator
at 212-529-8197 x25 or e-mail at: klatney-castillo@lespfcu.org. Please provide your name & phone number.


PCEI/ LESPFCU 37 Avenue B New York, NY 10009